CHARLESTON -- Nearly 3,500 middle and high school students across West Virginia told the state Department of Education that they want more technology in public schools.
The response was one many students made in an online survey, conducted in May and June. Preliminary results also show that four out of every 10 students believe their schools are doing some things right. More than 50 percent of students said their schools were doing a good job providing hands-on and real-world learning, with online classes and the integration of technology into lessons.
Eight of the nearly 5,000 students who responded to the online survey were randomly selected to receive an iPod touch, which will be distributed at a later date.
The survey's results echoes student concerns voiced at forums conducted in Beckley, Huntington, Martinsburg and Morgantown earlier this year.
"We heard from students in their own words about what is working in our schools and what we can improve," said West Virginia Superintendent of Schools Steven Paine. "Students can be candid and insightful. They are our most important constituents."
West Virginia has worked to add rigor to its educational system as part of its 21st Century Learning initiative. Such a systemic evolution of the state's educational system should result in a deeper understanding of core curriculum. It integrates problem solving, communication, critical thinking and technology skills into what is already taught in the classroom so that students can thrive in a globally diverse marketplace and lead a personally satisfying and productive life.
"Students must be able to comprehend, problem solve and communicate solutions if they are expected to succeed globally," Paine said. "We must provide our graduates with the intellectual capital needed in an interconnected world and I believe this plan will do that."
In both the online survey and forums, students were asked to respond to three questions:
1. Describe your ideal school.
2. What is working in your school and classrooms?
3. What is not working in your school and classrooms?
Students overwhelmingly said their ideal school would include a strong curriculum, challenging online courses and more hands-on and individual learning. Many said their schools lacked technology as well as had scheduling issues. Many said their computers were slow with out-of-date software.
Many students were quick to say some teachers were trying hard to bring in technology but that not all teachers were appropriately prepared to teach using new technology.
That's one reason the Department of Education has launched an aggressive professional development campaign to help teachers change how they teach from preschool to high school. The Teachers Leadership Institute helps teachers develop an understanding of 21st century learning, while the Teach 21 Web site provides educators research-based instructional strategies, technology tools and other resources.
West Virginia was recently one of six states to states to receive the 21st Century Practice of the Year Award for 2008, which commemorates the nation's preeminent state-led 21st century skills initiatives. The Partnership for 21st Century Skills, which granted the awards, cited West Virginia's "outstanding work in combining 21st century skills and groundbreaking teacher professional development practices."
The department will use the feedback from the online student survey to fine-tune the 21st Century Learning initiative.
For more information, contact the West Virginia Department of Education's Office of Communications at 304-558-2699.
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